In this episode of Confetti Park, Katy Ray interviews Rich Collins of the Imagination Movers. The Imagination Movers are one of the most famous kids’ music bands in the world, and they hail from New Orleans! From their website: “In 2003, four New Orleans friends – Rich Collins, Scott Durbin, Dave Poche and Scott “Smitty” […]

‘WEEN DREAM is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit that gives free Halloween costumes to children in need. Simple mission—so simple, it’s brilliant! In this episode of Confetti Park, ‘WEEN DREAM founder and CEO Kelsey Meeks talks to Katy Ray about the spooktacular mission of the New Orleans-based nonprofit that, in just one year, has seen new […]

This is a special edition of Confetti Park. Stephanie Hepburn is a writer living in Louisiana. She is a weekly and monthly contributing writer to the New Orleans Times-Picayune and regularly contributes to other news outlets. Her most recent book, Human Trafficking Around the World: Hidden in Plain Sight, was released by Columbia University Press […]

In this episode of Confetti Park, Katy Ray interviews jazz vocalist Jayna Morgan about her newest New Orleans band, the Swing Setters, a fun, energetic group that plays kids music jazz-style! (Is this a great name for a jazz band that plays kids music, or what?!) The Swing Setters truly fill a void in the New Orleans live […]

When facing off with a cockroach in the shower, what would you do? Some people would scream. Some people would hurl the shampoo bottle at the little sucker, and then run. But Ben Schenck? He wrote a song for the cockroach. “I was raised with a strong care module, so I cared deeply about this […]

In this episode of Confetti Park, Katy Ray interviews Jeremy Lyons about how he started playing for kids and what kinds of songs he plays. Jeremy also discusses how much he enjoys the curiosity and interest of little human beings in music. Jeremy Lyons began his musical career playing in a washboard band on the streets […]

This is a special edition of Confetti Park. Katy Ray interviews Rosana Gonzalez, Executive Director of CASA Jefferson, who is looking for volunteers to advocate for foster children in Jefferson Parish. In 2014, CASA Jefferson served 295 kids in Jefferson parish with only 150 volunteers. In other words, about 15% of foster care children in […]

Tommie Townsley is a Cajun children’s author from Lake Charles, Louisiana. She published her first book, Adolpheaux the Adventurous Dolphin, in 2005, and from that sweet beginning has launched a children’s book empire headquartered in Southwest Louisiana. In this interview, Tommie talks about her driving mission to get more kids in Louisiana interested in books: […]

In this episode of Confetti Park, Katy Ray interviews Johnette Downing, award-winning children’s musician and author. Through her books and songs, Johnette shares Louisiana culture with kids around the world. Johnette will be appearing at Jazz Fest this year; it is her 23rd year at the fest! You can see her at the kids tent on Sunday, May […]